Commissioner of Health and Human Services, and past Chairman of NMA Benue, Dr Joseph Ngbea has vowed to end challenges facing doctors in the state.
He said this when Benue NMA Chairman, Dr Ushakuma Anenga and other SOC members paid a courtesy visit to him earlier today.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman appreciated and commended the Honorable Commissioner for his numerous achievements in the health sector citing numerous projects across the state being carried out by the Ministry of Health.
The chairman also tabled some of the issues facing NMA, Benue, most notably those concerning the doctors under the employment of the state government. They included the issuance of permanent employment to all 63 bond doctors in HMB and not just a fraction as was being planned. He also pointed out other issues like Covid-19 allowances and salary arrears while making a case for the doctors at HMB to be placed on first-line charge in salary payment. Dr Anenga also raised the issue of the payment of the 2022 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to resident doctors at BSUTH.
In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner welcomed and commended the efforts of the Chairman and the entire SOC, and pledged his maximum support. He promised to increase the quota to allow for the permanent employment of all bond doctors.
Concerning the payment of MRTF, Dr Ngbea assured that all was set to pay as soon as His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom returned from his foreign trip or even before then. He also assured that all the other issues raised will be looked into, and a permanent solution found.
On his part, the director of clinical services, Ministry of Health and Human Services and a former Chairman of NMA Benue, Dr Terver Zua Tule commended the honourable Commissioner for his positive footprints and assured the NMA executives of his support whenever called upon.
Dr Mark Ogbodo,
PRO,
NMA, Benue,
13/09/2022